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Talented Class of 2010 has been pressed into action earlier than expected.
This past February was an especially productive month for Penn State, which welcomed in a recruiting class that the consensus ranked in the top 10 in the nation and first in the Big Ten.
The Nittany Lions just weren’t expecting to have to rely on some of those players right away.
Injuries, ineffectiveness and inexperience have resulted in some true freshmen seeing significant playing time. Six in all have seen the field, with their responsibilities increasing each week.
“You’re trying not to get too fancy because you’ve got young quarterbacks,” coach Joe Paterno said. “You’ve gotta be careful that you don’t give them too much. (We’ve) got a couple of people in other positions that can handle only so much right now.
“So, yeah, it’s a challenge. But nobody said it was going to be easy all the time.”
Here’s a look at the rookies who have already burned their redshirt.
QB Rob Bolden
Stats: 88-150, 1,035 yards, 3 TD, 6 INT, 1 rushing TD
Obviously. Though Penn State has plenty of issues to work out as the Big Ten season gets underway, Bolden is pretty far down on the list. It’s a plus that he just came out of the Iowa game in one piece.
The Michigan native has handled himself very well considering he has received little help from the rest of his offense. The running backs are underperforming, the receivers continue to drop passes and the offensive line is inconsistent and injured.
Though his numbers still won’t be pretty by the end of the year, both he and the team should be better for the experience.
RB Silas Redd
Stats: 16 carries, 89 yards
One of the top-rated runners in the country in last year’s recruiting class, Redd quickly showed off his moves in the opener against Youngstown State with a pair of eye-opening carries.
With Evan Royster and Stephfon Green ahead of him, his role likely won’t increase too much this season, but he has the look of a feature back in the future for the Lions.
TE Kevin Haplea
Haplea opened the season as the second-string tight end thanks to Andrew Szczerba’s back injury. Now with Garry Gilliam out for the year, the rookie becomes the de facto starter.
“The tight end isn’t like what it used to be – used to be a blocker,” Paterno said. “But now he’s such an integral part of your passing game. He’s got a lot to learn. And that’s unfortunate that we’ve got to stick him in there right away.
“But I think he’ll do OK. He’s a bright kid. He works hard. And I think (with) a good week, if he can stay without any bumps or bruises all week, I think by Saturday he’ll do a good job.”
LB Khairi Fortt
Stats: 4 tackles
An early arrival, Fortt may also be getting more time this week because of injuries. Starter Bani Gbadyu has been dealing with an ankle injury, and while he is expected to play against Illinois, Fortt figures to see more snaps.
“For him, it’s just a matter of time,” linebacker Michael Mauti said. “It’s not every day you see a true freshman playing linebacker here.”
LB Glenn Carson
Stats: 1 tackle
Carson originally signed with the Class of 2009 but a lingering injury led to him grayshirting – delaying his enrollment until January 2010. The versatile athlete actually lined up at fullback to start the season because Joe Suhey and Mike Zordich were both nicked up.
But now back at linebacker, Carson has made a fast impact, having already supplanted sophomore Mike Yancich as the top backup at inside linebacker this past week for the Iowa game.
“He’s our No. 2 guy behind (Colasanti),” defensive coordinator Tom Bradley confirmed after Saturday’s loss.
DT DaQuan Jones
The imposing tackle has done the least out of this group, as he just saw the field for the first time against the Hawkeyes.
With Brandon Ware once again in the doghouse, Jones looks to be the direct beneficiary, following the same path as Jordan Hill last year with a midseason surge.